Food and Culture
The heady mix of French, Indian, African and Creole influences on the island has created a cuisine that is as exciting and diverse as that of any cosmopolitan city. The result of this culinary fusion meaning that many hotel restaurants feature a delightful array of local signature dishes as buffet or a la carte options alongside European favourites. So, do not be surprised if one moment you are dining on French haute cuisine and the next you are trying Indian curries, spicy samosas and dal pancakes.
Mauritius' welcome is something else, it is not only warm and colourful, but it also has exceptional service levels with attention to detail. No matter where you stay, the attentive staff are knowledgeable about their cultural and national heritage and are happy to advise on sightseeing and to arrange trips and transport. A private cruise on a Catamaran? A round of golf on one of the islands' championship courses? A Mauritian Rum tour at Rhumerie de Chamarel? Nothing is too much trouble and all this with a smile as warm as the local sunshine.
Sports and Leisure Pursuits
When it comes to water sports, Mauritius is a paradise. The warm placid turquoise waters of the lagoon are a perfect playground for water sports and gentle beachside relaxation, due to the protection afforded by a virtually unbroken coral reef.
Once in a lifetime experiences await you: relax on a sailing boat as schools of dolphins ride the gentle waves at your helm, chirping as they go; scuba dive or snorkel along one of the world’s longest unbroken coral reefs, teeming with colourful tropical fish; or simply relax to the chatter of tropical birds on the sandy shores, underneath a swaying Casuarina tree.
For those who cannot scuba dive and want to explore the pristine reefs this way, do not fear, nearly all resorts feature fully qualified PADI dive centres for beginners and advanced alike. If you are not a water baby then playing golf does not get much better than here. In many hotels and resorts, it is often complimentary for guests and an added bonus is that the scenery is beyond stunning.
A Lush Interior
Mauritius also has the inner paradise at the heart of the island. This lush and green centre filled with sugar cane plantations, rugged volcanic mountains, gorges, rivers and tropical waterfalls is a must see. If you are not a walker then you can always opt for a helicopter flight over the spectacular waterfalls and landscapes of the island. Culture vultures will love the aromatic scents of Frangipani and exotic spices that waft out of the spice and fruit markets, legacies of Arab spice traders and British colonialists. There is the colonial heritage of the sugar plantations as well as the breath-taking botanical gardens, adorned with huge water lilies, and bright tropical beauties such as bougainvillea and hibiscus.
When to go
Mauritius has a warm subtropical climate making it a good destination to visit all year round. Between May and October, the weather is drier and a cooling trade winds blow from the southeast. Between November and April the weather is much hotter and more humid too due to the increased rainfall. Tropical rain storms are possible in January and February, although they are rare.
Getting there
Getting between the airport and the resort is easy and is usually by car hire, taxi or airport transfers. All car hire agents can be found at Port Louis airport and at various points around the island. Taxis and taxi ranks are easy to find on the island and are in most major towns. Do make sure you agree your fare before you jump in as Mauritian taxis do not run on a meter. Your hotel can also organise taxis for you.
There is also a railway network, but it is not the most reliable.
If you fancy island hopping or a two centre holiday, Air Seychelles has frequent flights to other Indian Ocean islands, such as Praslin, Frégate, Bird, Dennis, Desroches and Alphonse.
Medical requirements
There are no compulsory vaccination requirements for entry into Mauritius.
Visa requirements
There are no visa requirements for entry into Mauritius but your passport must be have at least a six month validity on it.
Currency
The local currency is the Mauritian Rupee. Most hotels and resorts accept payment in US Dollars and major credit cards.
